Kim Dotcom: Megaupload Is Almost Back

Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom says — well, tweets, at least — that the next incarnation of his legendary file hosting site is almost built.

In January, Dotcom was arrested in New Zealand on a request by American authorities, who want him extradited to the States to stand trial for copyright fraud. Megaupload was also shut down for encouraging online piracy. Dotcom, who for many has come to represent the tension between defenders of online intellectual property and advocates of free and open file-sharing, has teased Megaupload’s return almost since his arrest.

What exactly a Megaupload reincarnation will look like remains to be seen, of course. In a piece he wrote for the website TorrentFreak last December, Dotcom discussed a new venture called “Megabox.com, a site that will soon allow artists to sell their creations direct to consumers and allowing artists to keep 90% of earnings.” A pair of Dotcom tweets in August also implied that Megabox and a new Megaupload would both hit the web by the end of 2012.

Dotcom has been active on Twitter over the past several months as the Megaupload drama has slowly played out. He’s used the social network to provide cryptic updates like the ones mentioned above, push his argument against prosecution and share random bits of inspiration and advice.

Actively remaining in the public eye via the web is very much in keeping with Dotcom’s character. Originally named Kim Schmitz in Germany, he founded Megaupload in 2005. The site quickly gained extreme popularity with Internet users and launched him into geek-world celebrity along with drawing the ire of law enforcement officials.

As he gained notoriety, Dotcom — who tips the scales at a reported six-and-a-half feet tall and nearly 300 pounds — was never shy about flaunting his largesse. He posed for photographs with scantily clad women, participated in international auto races and paid for a lavish New Year’s fireworks display in Auckland, among other pursuits. For more on his ostentatious lifestyle, check out the gallery below.

Kim Dotcom and All His Epic Glory

Until recently, Kim Dotcom was the top Modern Warfare 3 player in the world. He even apparently posted a video to prove it. We imagine it’s tough to maintain such a coveted position while being held in jail for multiple copyright violations.

The Megaupload kingpin claims to have paid $500,000 for the City of Auckland to put on a 2011 New Year’s firework display. In case any Kiwi were to forget who was funding the awesomeness, he produced a video replete with on-screen identification of his whereabouts during the show. “Yeah, that’s me in my personal helicopter!”

3. Mega Man

Dotcom stands 6 feet 7 inches tall, and tips the scales at 300 pounds, according to CNET. No one really knows his exact measurements though. All reports we’ve seen have him measured differently so whatever his exact height and weight are, it’s easy to see that his physical size matches his personality and ego.

4. Surname Switch

He legally changed his surname from Schmitz to Dotcom in homage to the beloved World Wide Web that made him famous.

5. Financial Bravado and a 9/11 Bounty

He once fancied himself an anti-terrorism fighter by offering a bounty of $10 million for Osama bin Laden after 9/11. He started a group called Young Intelligent Hackers Against Terrorism. He was so kind as to offer the authorities on the hunt a little of his own advice:

“Try Looking in Kandahar in Afghanistan. He visits his wife and daughter there at least once a month.”

According to Vanity Fair, Dotcom is a “skilled and very fast driver” who raced in and won the Gumball 3000 in 2005. He bet that he would beat two of the female drivers. If they finished before him, he’d give them each $500,000. If he won, they had to join him in a threesome. No report on what came of that.

According to the Wall Street Journal, we do know that when he was arrested, police confiscated 21 luxury cars.

Even when the game seemed to be up, Mr. Dotcom orchestrated a flamboyant exit. Police had to cut their way through electronic locks to a saferoom, where they found him clutching a gun.

Update: many sources reported that Mr. Dotcom was holding a weapon or had one in reach at the time of his arrest. As new details emerge about what actually happened we will continue to update our reporting.

Dotcom generated a spectacle wherever he went, often surrounded by cars and women, and wearing his trademark black outfit. He was even known to jump into hot tubs fully clothed. He made movies about himself racing cars, flirting with women, and riding in helicopters and private jets.

9. Dubious Wealth Creation

According to The New York Times, in 2001 he reportedly made more than $1 million when he allegedly bought shares in a struggling website, then falsely announced he would make a major investment, only to then sell his shares once the price went up after his announcement. He then defended himself by appearing on a popular late-night show, claiming people hated him because they didn’t like his lifestyle. He then fled to Thailand before ultimately being apprehended.

10. Big Time Friends

He commissioned this well-produced music video starring many celebrities supporting the site, ostensibly in part to rub Megaupload in the face of copyright holders. Much controversy ensued.